World Boxing Association female flyweight champion Naoko Fujioka of Shinji Takehara and Takanori Hatakeyama Boxer Fitness Gym said at an online press conference on March 1 that she will have a title unification match with World Boxing Council flyweight champion Marlen Esparza of the United States on Apr. 9 at Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

The 46-year-old Fujioka, who fought in Los Angeles, California last July by decisioning Sulem Urbina of Mexico to retain the title, said, ‘’Unlike my last match held at a local soccer stadium, Alamodome is a venue where there have been many big matches held so far. The main event (for which Fujioka will appear as one of the undercards) is popular undefeated former World Boxing Council interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia’s fight.

‘’Since there will be many fans coming to see his fight, I am happy that I can have a fight as an undercard. I know I don’t have much time left as an active boxer. I want to show everything I have in my arsenals, and I hope to have a fight with a strong boxer. My opponent this time is that kind of boxer.’’

Regarding her Houston, Texas-born opponent Esparza, who is the 2012 London Olympics flyweight bronze medalist, Fujioka said, ‘’She has not yet been adjusted herself to the style of professional boxing.’’ Fujioka indicated her 32-year-old opponent’s lack of follow through punches (as shown by her record of an 11-1 win-loss tally with only one knockout).

But Fujioka, who has a 19-2-1 win-loss-draw record with seven KOs, said, ‘’Since it is a complete away match, I don’t think I can win unless I knock her out. If I win the fight, there will be a possibility of having been able to have another fight in the U.S. Since there is a lot of money (purse) in a fight in the U.S., I hope young Japanese female boxers will follow in my footsteps.’’